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Multiple-Meaning Words

A multiple-meaning word is spelled and said the same way but means different things: a bat flies at night, and you hit a ball with a bat. Context is the only clue, which is why these words are such good reading practice.

Here are 124 multiple-meaning words from past ClueBy puzzles, each with a real example sentence for every meaning. Use them as a reference, or make a printable worksheet below.

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Students read each sentence and write the missing word. Every word appears in several sentences, each time with a different meaning.

Words on the sheet
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Word bank
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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word from the word bank in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

Word bank: stand · cue · lash · charge · safe · lean · scale · foot

  1. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  2. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  3. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  4. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  5. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  6. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  7. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  8. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  9. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  10. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  11. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  12. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  13. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  14. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  15. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  16. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  17. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  18. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  19. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  20. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  21. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  22. I can't ________________ this cold.
  23. The tickets are free of ________________.
  24. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.

Sentences from ClueBy, Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR) and Common Voice (CC0). clueby.com

Answer key

  1. safe — out of danger
  2. scale — in music
  3. charge — electricity
  4. foot — part of the body
  5. cue — a signal
  6. cue — a hint
  7. foot — the bottom
  8. lash — a whip stroke
  9. lean — to bend
  10. stand — on your feet
  11. safe — a strongbox
  12. cue — for pool
  13. lean — thin
  14. lash — an eyelash
  15. scale — for weighing
  16. safe — out of danger
  17. lash — to lash out
  18. scale — size or range
  19. stand — for spectators
  20. lean — to rest against
  21. foot — a measure
  22. stand — to bear
  23. charge — a price
  24. charge — in control

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

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Frequently asked questions

What are multiple-meaning words?

Words with the same spelling and pronunciation but more than one meaning, like bark (of a dog or of a tree) or bank (for money or of a river). You can only tell which meaning is meant from the rest of the sentence.

Are multiple-meaning words the same as homonyms?

Mostly, yes. Teachers often use "multiple-meaning words" and "homonyms" for the same idea. Homophones are different: they sound alike but are spelled differently, like flour and flower.

Are the worksheets free?

Yes. Make and print as many as you like for home or classroom use. Each sheet has its own link, so you can print the same one again.

Where do the words come from?

From past ClueBy puzzles, a daily game where you sort twelve sentences by their missing word. A new puzzle every day adds four more words to this list.

Sentences from ClueBy, Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR) and Common Voice (CC0). clueby.com